Ben Parkinson TV documentary to be aired on BBC1 today

Darren Burke

A documentary telling the remarkable life story of inspirational Doncaster war hero Ben Parkinson is to air today.

Ben Parkinson - Wilderness Warrior will be screened this afternoon from 3.15pm on BBC1 in the Yorkshire region - with a national airing on BBC2 at 7pm on December 16.

The hour long programme tells the story of former soldier Ben’s attempt to canoe 250 miles down the Yukon River in Canada.

Ben lost both his legs and suffered dozens more serious injuries while on duty in the war-torn country in 2006 and has undergone an ongoing programme of treatment and recovery which has helped him become a true inspiration for Doncaster and across the globe.

With the help of his military charity Pilgrim Bandits, Ben embarked on the gruelling kayak challenge in Canada along with other injured ex-servicemen.

Their extraordinary journey was followed by a TV crew from BBC Yorkshire.

A special preview screening, attended by Ben took place at Doncaster Racecourse last night with BBC One Show presenter Mike Dilger who travelled with Ben on the trip in attendance.

Bessacarr-based Ben, 30, continued his amazing recovery at this month’s Remembrance Day parade in Doncaster, by walking on his full-length prosthetic legs in full military uniform for the first time as he paid his respects to the town’s war dead.

The soldier was injured when a Taliban bomb blew up a vehicle he was travelling in.

Earlier this year, he revealed how the team had “smashed” the Yukon adventure and said: “The scenery was indescribable but you are in the outback. I have never been anywhere so isolated.

“We were travelling unbelievably light as everything has to go into your canoe. No changes of clothing – just a dry suit to keep you warm in the evening.

“The weather was particularly cold as we arrived. Fortunately very little rain though. This did mean we saw some incredible skies and even got a show from the Northern Lights. It is impossible to describe this and impossible to believe that it’s completely natural.”